You don’t have to do religious tourism to be able to admire the magnificence not only of the great temples of Greece but even of the small monasteries that often hang on the edge of the cliff. One such case is the Monastery of St. John the Hermit in Crete. And that is why it is no exaggeration to say that it is like an ornament on the edge of a cliff. One of the monasteries of Greece worth visiting when you are in Crete.
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Monastery of St. John the Hermit: Like an ornament on the edge of the cliff – What the legend says
The Monastery of Saint Greece belongs to the category of the most impressive and old monasteries in Greece mainly because of its location. It has been built in such a way that you think it hangs on the edge of the cliff and is tied with an invisible thread. This almost eerie image, therefore, requires a little effort to admire it up close since there is a path to approach the monastery.
This trail starts from the monastery of Gouverneto and its duration for someone with a simple physical condition is about 30 minutes walk. So he will see the monastery in front of him and admire the way it was built there centuries ago. An impressive and very large stone bridge will eventually lead you to the ruined and extremely imposing monastery of St. John the Hermit, or Katholiko, which took its name from St. John the Hermit or Stranger who “died” in the 11th century in a cave inside the rock.
But don’t stop there. Dedicate another 10 minutes of hiking to unfold before your eyes a unique spectacle. If you continue hiking after the monastery for about 10 minutes you will reach the sea, where a wonderful small fjord with dreamy waters is formed.
There was once the port of the monastery of St . John the Hermit which is followed by its legend, as is the case with many monasteries in Greece. This legend, therefore, says that pirates once landed at the spot to attack the monastery. However, when the Abbot realized this, he cursed them and the ship petrified them so that they could never leave Crete and return to their homeland. At the exit of the gorge, there is a large rock that resembles a ship and is said to further enhance the legend.
The oldest monastery in the whole of Crete
Apart from its beauty due to the landscape that surrounds it and makes it look like a painting, the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Hermitis has another feature that makes it stand out. It is the oldest monastery in Crete. The buildings that survive today and can be admired on the edge of the cliff, are estimated to have been built around 1600. The images are truly breathtaking not only when you get there but also along the way. Of course, you need comfortable clothing and footwear to be able to approach the monastery safely.
The fact that it is ruined gives a calmness and devotion that makes the mind empty. One of the most picturesque monasteries in Greece.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Monastery of St. John the Hermit, also known as Katholiko, is located in Crete, Greece. It is built dramatically on the edge of a cliff and can be accessed via a hiking trail that starts from the nearby Monastery of Gouverneto.
The hike from the Monastery of Gouverneto to St. John the Hermit takes approximately 30 minutes for someone with a simple physical condition. If you continue hiking to reach the sea and the small fjord, add another 10 minutes to your journey.
According to legend, pirates once landed at the monastery's port to attack it. The Abbot cursed the pirates, and their ship allegedly petrified, preventing them from ever leaving Crete and returning to their homeland. A large rock resembling a ship at the gorge's exit is said to commemorate this legend.
Yes, the Monastery of St. John the Hermit is considered the oldest monastery in all of Crete. The buildings that survive today were estimated to have been built around 1600, and the monastery is named after St. John the Hermit, a saint who died in a cave inside the rock during the 11th century.
You should wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear when visiting the Monastery of St. John the Hermit, as the hike involves a hiking trail that requires safe navigation and careful footing along the cliff path.
